To Mac or not to Mac?

There are two issues, can you move and should you move to a mac.

You can't run OSX on a PC. It's just not an option. OSX is designed specifically so it won't run on a box that is not a mac or a (illegal) clone. There are hack out there that can be used but they compromise the OS so much that you wouldn't be getting the user experience you are after.

You can get a cheap mac though, and the resale on second hand ones is pretty good. If you buy a second hand one and don't like it you will get almost what you paid for it if you resell it.

As to whether you should, I think you are going about it exactly the right way by intending to try it our yourself and seeing if you like the experience. There's no point listening to the hardcore PC geeks who say macs are rubbish; on the other hand you don't want to listen to the diehard macheads who won't hear any criticism of anything apple. Make up your own mind.

My experience is that I've used PCs since Windows 3.0 and still use XP machines at work. But I started using macs back in 1991 and now own 5. Macs have issues too, but I can live with them easier than I can with those that come with PCs, so I won't be moving back unless Microsoft ups its game.

Hackintoshes are not easy, and you will need some of the later P4's at least (meaning if you are going for a hackintosh you need a 2-3ghz Pentium4 or a core 2 duo)

Getting a cheap mac off of ebay for 50-100 dollars is a better idea. G3's run OS X too, just not OS X 10.5(the latest) and you have to have a mac to use all the features, hackintoshes almost always have something not working! If OS X 10.4.11 will run just fine on a 600mhz G3, run great on a 600 of faster G4, and a G5 is always overkill for just trying OS X out, G5's are still powerful and still cost a premium for that power. If you can get any G4 faster than 400MHZ running OS X 10.4 for your price range on ebay or websites such as www.erecycleronline.com go for it.

Note, a Hackintosh is a normal intel based computer using a hacked version of OS X to run on it.

I've got 6 Windows XP units (work & home stuff) and I bought a Mac Mini.

I'd had all the periferals, so no cost there & I really like the hugely reduced security concerns.

The mini (with the Intel chipset) can run Windows, so a dual boot system is moderately easy to install & run.

I think these run about $5-600 US.

Check the Apple website for the versatility features.

MAC it! I made the switch from Winblows to Mac about 17 months ago and have been so much happier. No crashes, no Winblows BS to worry about, just a better piece of mind. You will get used to the OS X functioning in no time and it's so much more user friendly. To my understanding, OS X can only be run on Mac branded machines. I have known people who have tried to build a clone but the performance is nowhere near as good. If you own a monitor, keyboard, mouse, etc. already, go with the Mac Mini. You can get the 1.83 ghz version for $599 or the 2 ghz version for $799.

Once you go Mac, you'll never go back!

While OS X runs on Intel hardware, it doesn't run on ALL Intel hardware. You need to have an Apple computer to install it.

If you want to try it out, then you can have a go with it in an Apple store (my local PC Word has some demo machines too).

The Macbook Air is fine suited to portability, whilst the Macbook Pro is a compatible laptop substitute for scientists, designers and men and women running with video enhancing. Computing magazines endorse that pupils and those that wish a moveable, move-to computer pick the Macbook Air, whilst folks that wish a bendy computing device with older ports and plenty of garage, or folks that want further processing energy, opt for the Macbook Pro.

Don't waste your money on something you don't need. Instead donate to some foundation that you suport and help others insted of yourself. There are people in the world who only dream of a better life but will probably never have it, you should think about others and then good fortune will look your way =D

oh and if your going to buy a mac get it during the school sale to save money... and if you want to save more get the 1099 laptop instead of the 1299 if you dont have to burn discs or heavily rely on computer game speed. =]

You can't just put OSX on any PC. When you try to install the disk it will know that it is not Apple hardware. Your cheapest bet is $599 at apple.com

you cant put mac os anything on an old pc it doesnt matter what it is. if you go to geeks.com they have a mac laptop with os x for $400 which is pretty cheap. hope i could help!

Instead of trying to rig up your old computer to run OS X, try going to your local Best Buy. They sometimes have what they call "Open Box" items, which are computers that were returned that there is NOTHING wrong with. They usually mark these down deeply. A friend of mine got a new iMac (open box) for $800.00.